Dublin made a winning start to the Senior Championship inflicting a first defeat in 23 games for Kildare. Westmeath and Offaly played out an entertaining draw in the Intermediate Championship, while Carlow continued their recent impressive form with a win over Louth in the Junior grade.
Senior Championship
Dublin made a winning start to the Leinster SFC with a fine victory over Kildare. It was the Lilywhite’s first defeat in 23 games.
Meath had a 10 point win over Laois in their opening game. Marion Farrelly (2) and Emma Duggan (1) with goals for the Royal County
Dublin 4-15 Kildare 2-04
Dublin began the defence of their Leinster title with a win over Kildare in Parnell Park. Captain Carla Rowe scored 1-04 for Mick Bohan’s side.
The Dubs made the perfect start to the game and hit 1-04 inside the opening six minutes. Caoimhe O’Connor with the goal in the third minute. Dublin got a second goal through Kate Sullivan as they held a 2-10 to 0-03 lead at the break.
Kildare battled and Niamh Farrelly grabbed a brace of goals in the second half for the Lilywhites. The Dubs were clinical and showed their experience by keeping the scoreboard ticking over. Rowe and Orlagh Nolan (penalty) added second half goals for the All-Ireland champions.
Meath 3-11 Laois 1-07
Marion Farrelly scored 2-02 as Meath made a winning start to this year’s Leinster Championship. Emma Duggan finished with a tally of 1-04 for the Royals.
Laois made a good start to the game before Meath took control. In the 10th minute they got their first goal when Duggan put away a penalty. Farrelly grabbed her two goals during the half to give them a half-time lead of 3-04 to 0-03.
Laois grabbed a goal in the 42nd minute through Lauren Kearney but they couldn’t muster up a comeback. Meath were able to get scores to extend their lead further.
Intermediate Championship
A late free from Leanne Slevin earned Westmeath a draw in their opening Leinster IFC game with neighbours Offaly.
Wexford had five points to spare over Wicklow in their opening game.
Westmeath 1-11 Offaly 2-08
Westmeath came from four points down to earn a draw with Offaly in the first game of their Leinster Intermediate Championship. Leanne Slevin with the equalising free.
Westmeath made a good start to the game before Offaly grabbed their first goal in the 11th minute. Both sides raised the green flag as the Faithful County led at the break by four points.
Credit to Westmeath they didn’t give up and deep in stoppage time they’d a chance to earn a share of the spoils. Slevin made no mistake kicking over a free.
Wicklow 1-05 Wexford 1-11
Wexford had five points to spare over neighbours Wicklow in their opening game of the Leinster Intermediate Championship.
In a tight opening half Wexford held a three point lead at the break. Both sides scored their goals in the first half. Wexford were trailing by one point when Kellie Kearney scored their goal in the 27th minute.
Inside the opening 10 minutes of the second half Wexford built up a six point lead. Wicklow got to within five points on a few occasions but couldn’t get any closer to Wexford.
Junior Championship
Carlow followed up their Division 4 success with an opening day win in the Leinster JFC. They recorded a three point win at home to Louth.
Longford recorded a comfortable win away to Kilkenny in their opening championship game.
Carlow 2-08 Louth 1-08
Carlow made a winning start to the Leinster Junior Championship with three points to spare over Louth.
Carlow were five points in front before Louth got their opening score; a goal from the boot of Ceire Woods. There were three points between the sides going in at the interval with Carlow in front.
The home side kicked over the opening point of the game before they grabbed their second goal of the game. They were able to build on this and held on for a fine win.
Kilkenny 0-04 Longford 4-10
Longford opened their Leinster Junior Championship campaign with a comfortable win away to Kilkennny.
The Midlanders scored their first goal in the opening half and opened up a nine point half-time lead 1-08 to 0-02.
Longford kept the scoreboard ticking over in the second half and added three more goals to their tally.
Deniese O'Flaherty
Deniese is a freelance sports journalist/broadcaster. She has worked for several local and national media outlets. GAA and soccer are her great loves and she also follows rugby league and snooker. She's a big supporter of her local clubs St. Mary's GAA Granard and Longford Town. She also follows Celtic, Liverpool and Leeds Rhinos. She presented and produced a popular sports podcast last year where she interviewed Ray Houghton, Chris Kamara and John Hartson. Deniese is currently Head of Communications for Boccia Ireland